KR20140017522A - Device for moving people and/or objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a handrail (5) comprising a handrail element (5.1), wherein the handrail is moved past a sensor support (11.1) comprising at least one sensor (10). Each handrail element 5. 1 has a collar 5. 1 extending into an adjacent handrail element 5. 1. The handrail element 5.1 articulated with the second conveying chain 8 can move relative to the adjacent handrail element 5.1 without forming a gap between two adjacent handrail elements 5.1. Only the splitting channel 5.12 is formed between two adjacent handrail elements 5. 1 so that the depth of the groove is very small so that the fingers are not pinched. The sensor 10 can detect each split channel 5.12 and the defective handrail element 5.1. By means of the sensor signal, it is possible to determine operating variables such as speed, acceleration, deceleration of the handrail 5 and / or detect dangerous operating states.

Description

DEVICE FOR MOVING PEOPLE AND / OR OBJECTS}

The invention relates to a conveying device having at least one continuous conveyor comprising conveying elements for humans and / or objects according to the definition of the independent patent claims.

WO 2004/014774 discloses a human conveying device having a handrail, wherein one or more transponders are integrated in the handrail. The communication device arranged near the handrail has a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter transmits energy and data in the form of electromagnetic waves to the transponder. The transponder transmits measurement data relating to physical parameters, for example the temperature or speed or acceleration of the handrail, to the receiver. The transponder integrated into the handrail is only suitable for belted or strapped handrails. This type of handrail can be monitored by a few responders. However, the responder is not suitable for other types of handrails.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a human and / or object moving device.

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 achieves the object of monitoring, by simple means, a continuous conveyor, comprising a conveying element, of a conveying device for humans and / or objects.

Useful refinements of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.

An advantage achieved by the present invention is that substantially metal or non-metallic conveying elements of the continuous conveyor can be detected. The conveying element to be detected is for example a handrail element, where the handrail may also comprise one handrail element, step, pallet or chain element. The conveying elements form a conveying chain for segmented continuous conveyors, for example handrails, step belts, pallet belts or step or pallet or handrail elements. It is also useful for the sensor necessary to detect the conveying element to detect the conveying element from a very short distance. As a result, the monitoring device becomes a compact slim configuration. The monitoring device detects each individual conveying element and from this detection generates operating variables, for example velocity and / or acceleration / deceleration. Missing or damaged conveying elements can also be detected. In this case, the continuous conveyor is stopped and / or an error is signaled. The monitoring device is also suitable for counting conveying elements which form a split continuous conveyor.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are as follows.

1 shows an example of a transport device for a person and / or object,
2 is a cross-sectional view of the conveying device of FIG. 1, along line AA,
3 shows a cross-sectional view of the handrail in the return path,
4 is a side view of the handrail according to FIG. 3, FIG.
5 shows a handrail with missing handrail elements,
6 shows a handrail with a damaged handrail element,
7 is a block diagram of an electrical circuit for monitoring a continuous conveyor,
8 shows an electrical representation of a split handrail with handrail elements,
9 and 10 show an electrical representation of a damaged handrail, respectively.
11, 12 and 13 show the output signals from the electric circuit according to the operating state of the continuous conveyor, respectively.

One exemplary embodiment of a conveying device for a person and / or object having a conveying element combined to form a continuous conveyor will be described below with respect to an escalator having a handrail, a step belt and a conveying chain. The following descriptions correspondingly apply to a walkway using pallets or also transfer belts. In the case of an escalator, the conveying element is a handrail element, where the handrail may also comprise one handrail element, the conveying element being a step or a chain element. The handrail element forms a handrail, the step forms a step belt, and the chain element forms a carrying chain of the step belt. In the case of a moving walkway, the conveying element is a handrail element, a pallet or a chain element. The handrail element forms the handrail, the pallet forms the pallet belt, and the chain element forms the conveying chains of the pallet belt or the handrail.

1 has a handrail 2 and has a step 3.1 for carrying a person and / or an object from the first level E1 to the second level E2 or vice versa in the forward path VL. The conveying apparatus using the example of the escalator 1 with one step belt 3 is shown schematically. The continuous step belt 3 returns to the return path RL. The framework 4 functions as a support for the step belt 3 and the handrail 2 and is supported at levels E1 and E2. The handrail 5 supported by the handrail 2 functions as a continuous conveyor for the hand of the person carried by the front path VL.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the conveying device of FIG. 1 along line A-A. Each step 3.1 has a step roller 3.2 and a chain roller 3.3, where the rollers 3.2, 3.3 rotate on the guide 3.4. The guide is arranged on the frame 4.1 of the framework 4. As a continuous conveyor, the first conveying chain 3.5 with the chain element 3.51 carries the step 3.1 in the front path VL and in the return path RL. The handrail 5 is guided by the return rollers 6 to the return path RL and by the first guide profile 7 to the front path VL.

3 shows a cross section of the handrail 5 in the return path RL, where the handrail 5 consists of a separate, for example hollow-body, handrail element 5.1. . The handrail element 5.1 is carried by the second conveying chain 8 and guided along the first guide profile 7 of the handrail 2 on the guide groove 9. The clip 11 is fastened to the bracket 14 by bolts 12 and nuts 13, here a sensor support 11. 1 with a sensor 10 for monitoring the handrail element 5.1, for example. ) Is disposed on the clip 11. The sensor support 11. 1 has three sensors 10, and it is also possible for the sensor support to provide only two or only one sensor.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the handrail 5 according to FIG. 3, in which the handrail element 5.1 is moved past the sensor support 11. 1. For improved clarity of the monitored handrail element 5.1, FIGS. 4 to 6 do not show the overall sensor support 11. 1 shown in FIG. 3. Articulation means 16 are provided on the clip 11, wherein the damaged handrail element 5.1 with the protruding portion pivots away from the sensor support 11. 1, in the process of which the sensor 10 is damaged. Remains unresolved. Each handrail element 5. 1 has a collar 5. 1 extending into an adjacent handrail element 5. 1. The handrail elements 5.1 which are fastened to the second transport chain 8 in an articulated manner can move relative to one another with respect to the adjacent handrail elements 5.1, in the process between two adjacent handrail elements 5. 1. No gap is formed in the gap. Only a split channel 5.12 having a very low depth is formed between two adjacent handrail elements 5. 1 so that the fingers are not pinched. Split channel 5.12 has a depth of about 2 mm to 4 mm and a width of about 4 mm to 8 mm, for example.

5 shows a handrail 5 with lost handrail element 5.1. The handrail element 5.1 was for example broken, dropped or forcibly removed by a facility destroyer. The sensor 10 detects each present and each lost handrail element 5.1.

6 shows a handrail 5 with a damaged handrail element 5.1. In one handrail element 5.1, the parts are broken or forcibly removed, for example as a result of vandalism. The sensor 10 detects each present and also each damaged handrail element 5. 1. Damaged handrail element 5. 1 has for example craters, cracks and / or holes 533.

Depending on the material properties of the conveying elements, a sensor 10 that operates according to different operating principles can be considered. For example, as described in further detail below, the emission characteristics are changed by proximity to the antenna and by the splitting of the handrail 5 or the step / pallet belt 3 or the carrying chains 3.5 and 8. The antenna 10.1 which can be varied is for monitoring the split handrail 5 formed from the handrail element 5.1 or for monitoring the step / pallet belt 3 formed from the step 3.1 or the pallet. Or is suitable for monitoring the first conveying chain 3.5 or the second conveying chain 8 formed from the chain element 3.51. Sensors operating using the radar principle can also be considered, in which the antenna transmits electromagnetic signals to a continuous conveyor with conveying elements, where the signals are reflected according to the contour of the continuous conveyor and reflected The signals are measured. Sensors that operate using the capacitive principle are also possible. In this case, the capacitance of the capacitor is changed by the division of the continuous conveyor. The capacitor forms a resonant circuit with inductance, the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit changing in accordance with the capacitance of the capacitor and determining the frequency of the vibrator.

Antennas whose emission characteristics can be altered by proximity to the antenna and by the continuous conveyor, for example the handrail 5, the step / pallet belt 3 or the splitting 5.12 of the conveying chains 3.5, 8. The sensor 10 with 10.1 will be described in more detail below.

The short distance between the antenna 10.1 and the transport element, for example handrail element, step / pallet, chain element, in particular the near-field of the antenna 10.1, is on the desired payload signal. Resulting in overlapping interference signals. No interaction with objects in the far field; The antenna emits freely, where the far field is determined as: d / lambda> 1. (d = distance of the antenna from the continuous conveyor, lambda = wavelength of the signal emitted by the antenna).

In the near field, the object detunes the antenna and changes the resistance of the antenna, where the near field is determined as follows: d / lambda <1.

The distance d shown in FIG. 3 of the antenna 10.1 from the handrail element 5.1 is fixed at, for example, 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm in the near field, for example a crack having a length of about 5 mm in the near field, for example. And / or a hole 5.13, for example with a diameter of about 5 mm, can still be detected accurately. The holes 5.13 and the cracks detune the antenna 10.1 smaller than the bulges and protrusions of the handrail 5, for example. The sensor 10 used is an antenna operating in a radio frequency range, for example a commercially available 2.4 GHz WLAN antenna. (WLAN stands for Wireless LAN).

Epsilon _r (Epsilon _r ) is the material constant of the transfer element and exceeds 1 (Epsilon _r for vacuum is 1). Intermediate space between the conveying elements, for example a split channel (5.12) between two adjacent hand rail elements (5.1) or two adjacent steps or pallets or steps from one chain element (3.51) to an adjacent chain element (3.51) Slots between type transitions result in a series of changes in the dielectric constant epsilon _r . For example, in the case of a split handrail, the series of changes includes handrail element-split channel-handrail element-split channel-handrail element ... etc., where the handrail element is a split channel (epsilon). _r has an epsilon _r greater than 1).

The change of the electric field in the near field of the antenna 10.1 can be usefully used. A change in the dielectric constant epsilon _r of the transport element, eg handrail element, step / pallet, chain element, located in the immediate vicinity of the antenna 10.1 results in a detuning or change in the resonant frequency of the antenna 10.1. do. This change is reflected in the energy and it is possible to measure it in the feed line of the antenna. The change in the dielectric constant epsilon _r in the immediate vicinity of the antenna 10.1 is caused by the transport element guided through the antenna.

A small distance d of the antenna from the compact construction and the carrying elements of the antenna is also useful.

7 shows a block diagram of an electrical circuit 20 for adjusting sensor signals generated by the sensor 10. The voltage converter 21 is supplied with a first supply voltage VS1 of the escalator 1, for example 24V. The voltage converter 21 generates a second supply voltage VS2, for example 5V, from the first supply voltage VS1, the control system 22, the oscillator 23, the radio frequency amplifier 24 and the measurement- The second supply voltage is supplied to the value amplifier 25.

The control system 22 defines a frequency corresponding to the antenna 10.1, where the oscillator 23 generates a signal, for example a sine wave signal, at a predetermined shape and amplitude at this frequency and converts the signal into a radio frequency amplifier. Supply to (24). The amplified radio frequency signal (ie, the first signal S1) is supplied to a measurement quadripole network 26 and from the measurement quadrupole network an antenna 10.1 disposed on the sensor support 11. 1 is provided. Connected to the antenna coupler 27. When there is no object in the near field of the antenna 10.1, the antenna is simply operated in a resistive manner (eg 50 ohms) and all of the energy of the first signal S1 is emitted without reflection. As described above, when the object is located in the near field of the antenna 10.1, the resonant frequency of the antenna 10.1 is detuned by interaction with the objects, and a part of the energy of the first signal S1. Is reflected on the measurement four-terminal network 26 by the antenna 10.1 and appears on the measurement quadrupole network 26 as a second signal S2 which maps the surface of the continuous conveyor. The second signal S2 is supplied to the measure-value amplifier 25. The measurement-value amplifier amplifies the second signal S2 and supplies the amplified second signal to the control system 22 for evaluation.

In the case where a continuous conveyor without contours, visually identifiable damage points on the near field of the antenna 10.1, no member structure or no segmentation moves past the antenna 10.1, the so-called "interference signal" is also used herein. A second signal, S2, is generated but no payload signal is generated. The payload signal superimposed on the interfering signal is first either by a change in the surface of the continuous conveyor or by the contouring of the continuous conveyor or by a visually identifiable structure such as a hole or crack or notch or slot on the surface or by handrail By means of a split channel 512 between the elements 5.1 or by a slot between the steps or by a stepped transition from one chain member to another, where the change in the surface of the continuous conveyor Causes a change in the emission characteristics of the antenna.

Visually identifiable changes in the surface of continuous conveyors, for example split channels between handle rail elements, undivided handrails with slots, undivided handrails with cracks, damaged hands with holes and / or cracks Rail elements, missing handrail elements, missing steps or pallets, stepped transitions from one chain element to another, missing chain elements, protruding parts of continuous conveyors, slots between conveying elements, etc. Can be identified by

8 shows an electrical representation of the split handrail 5 according to FIG. 4 with a handrail element 5.1. The second signal S2 is illustrated as a function of time t. The undamaged handrail 5 moving past the antenna 10.1 generates a wave-like payload signal S2.1 that is superimposed on the interfering signal according to the split channel 5.12, respectively. Here, each wave S2.1 is recorded by the control system 22.

To suppress interference effects, an average value is calculated by the control system 22 from the last measured wave S2.1 (eg from the last 64 measured waves), and the average value is calculated from the current wave S2.1. Is compared with the measured value of. If the deviation between the present measurement and the mean is within a certain acceptable range, the currently measured handrail element 5.1 is considered to be intact.

FIG. 9 shows an electrical representation of the split handrail 5 according to FIG. 5 with a handrail element 5.1 provided and having a lost handrail element 5.1. The second signal S2 is illustrated as a function of time t. The lost handrail element 5.1 only forms an associated signal wave S2.2 in the shrunken range. The control system 22 identifies the point of damage and generates an error signal.

FIG. 10 shows an electrical representation of the split handrail 5 according to FIG. 6 with a handrail element 5.1 provided with a handrail element 5.1 and provided with a crack and / or a hole 5.13. The second signal S2 is illustrated as a function of time t. The damaged hand rail element 5.1 only forms an associated signal wave S2.3 in the atrophic range. The control system identifies the point of damage and generates an error signal.

The control system 22 of FIG. 7 generates, by the output stage 28, a third signal S3 corresponding to the operating state of the continuous conveyor. The output stage can include, for example, a semiconductor switch, an optocoupler or a bus system.

11 shows a continuous conveyor using an example of a split handrail 5 with a handrail element 5.1. At nominal speed, the handrail produces a signal S3 shown as a function of time t. Signal S3 changes from logic 0 to logic 1 and vice versa, for example after every third handrail element 5.1. For example, at half the nominal speed, signal S3.1 occurs as a function of time t. Signals S3 and S3.1 are supplied to the escalator control system, for example for speed regulation and / or speed monitoring. The number of pulses per unit time is used to determine the operating variable, for example the feed rate, acceleration during start up or deceleration during stop.

FIG. 12 shows the output signal S3 given the handrail element 5.14 partially or completely lost or given the handrail element 5.1 with cracks and / or holes 5.33. The third signal S3 is set to logic 0 for a specific time T, for example 30 seconds. The escalator control system confirms this condition and generates at least one corresponding error message.

FIG. 13 shows a handrail 5 with a damaged handrail element 5. 1 with protruding parts 5. 5 pivoting apart from the sensor support 11. 1 by the articulation means 16, in the process. The sensor 10 remains intact. In the spaced and pivoted position, the sensor 10 cannot identify any handrail element 5.1 and the signal S3 remains logic zero. The escalator control system confirms this condition and stops the escalator 1 and generates at least one corresponding error message.

Claims (13)

A transport apparatus 1 having at least one continuous conveyor 3, 3.5, 5, comprising at least one transport element 3. 1, 3.51, 5.1 for a person and / or object,
At least one sensor 10 for recording the surface of the continuous conveyor 3, 3.5, 5 and an electrical circuit 20 for conditioning the sensor signal mapping the surface are provided and operated A transport device in which a variable can be created and / or a lost or damaged transport element (3.1, 3.51, 5.1) can be detected from the adjusted sensor signal. The method of claim 1,
Transfer device (1), wherein the continuous conveyor (3, 3.5, 5) is divided. The method of claim 1,
Transfer device (1), wherein the continuous conveyor (3, 3.5, 5) is not divided. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The sensor 10 is an antenna 10.1 operating in a radio frequency range and the transport elements 3.1, 3.51, 5.1 can be moved in a near-field of the antenna 10.1. . 5. The method of claim 4,
Transfer device (3.1, 3.51, 5.1), the distance (d) of the antenna (10.1) is approximately 1.5mm to 3.5mm. 6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
Transfer device, wherein the antenna (10.1) is a WLAN antenna. The method according to claim 6,
The antenna (10.1) is designed for 2.4 GHz. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The antenna (10.1) can be pivoted apart by a projecting portion (5.15) of the conveying element (3.1, 3.51, 5.1). A method of monitoring a conveying device 1 having at least one continuous conveyor 3, 3.5, 5 comprising at least one conveying element 3. 1, 3.51, 5.1 for a person and / or object,
At least one sensor 10 records the surfaces of the continuous conveyors 3, 3.5, 5, the electrical circuits 20 condition the sensor signals that map the surfaces, and operating variables are generated and / or Or a lost or damaged transfer element (3.1, 3.51, 5.1) can be detected by the adjusted sensor signal. 10. The method of claim 9,
The transport element (3.1, 3.51, 5.1) is moved in a near field of an antenna (10.1) acting as a sensor (10) within the radio frequency range. 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10,
The electrical circuit 20 supplies a radio frequency signal S1 to the antenna 10.1, the antenna 10.1 reflecting the payload signal S2 to the electrical circuit 20 according to the surface. How to monitor it. 12. The method of claim 11,
The electrical circuit 20 generates, from the payload signal S2, a signal S3 for determining the operating parameters of the continuous conveyors 3, 3.5 and 5 and / or the continuous conveyor 5. A method of monitoring the transport device, which generates a signal (S3) to confirm the dangerous operating state of the device. The method of claim 12,
The operating variable is for example the speed, acceleration and / or deceleration of the continuous conveyors 3, 3.5 and 5, the dangerous operating state being for example lost, damaged and / or protruding conveying elements 3.1. , 3.51, 5.1).

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